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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

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Chris Thompson

Trae Young prepares to inbound the ball, defended by Marcus Smart.

Finally, Some Crotch Abuse We Can All Feel Good About

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Giri Nathan

2023 NBA Playoffs – Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks

Mitchell Robinson Was The Biggest Big

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Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 26: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a free throw during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings

Draymond Green And The Warriors Taught Sacramento A Painful Lesson

Donovan Mitchell watches the Cavaliers lose.

The Cavaliers Paid The Price For Arriving Ahead Of Schedule

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Albert Burneko

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Giannis Erupts On Reporter With Heated Display Of Nuanced Understanding Of The Ultimate Purpose Of Sport

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks scores the game winning shot during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Trae Young Shoots, Shoots, Shoots To Keep The Hawks Alive

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Tom Ley

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards (1) of the Minnesota Timberwolves stands during a break in action in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

DENVER NUGGETS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, NBA PLAYOFFS

Anthony Edwards Needs Some New Pals

LeBron James celebrates after scoring the decisive overtime basket.

LeBron James Sure Knows How To Pick His Spots

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches a shot he took against the Sacramento Kings during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 23, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors – Game Four

This Is What Flipping The Switch Looks Like

Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks – Game Four

StarJ Barrett!

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Round One Game Four of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California

2023 NBA Playoffs – Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors

The Kings Needed To Be Just A Little Better

Russell Westbrook Is Just The Man To Salvage Dignity In Defeat

Dillon Brooks pulls a face after being ejected.

Dillon Brooks Was Humiliating Himself Well Before He Made Contact With The Balls

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - APRIL 21: Fans of the New York Knicks are seen during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States. Filmmaker Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee watches the game with a Knicks jersey at Madison Square Garden.

NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks

Defector Up All Night

Let’s Have An NBA And NHL Playoffs Open Thread

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Ray Ratto

Los Angeles, - April 20: Kawhi Leonard, center, of the LA Clippers looks on from the bench in street clothes against of the Phoenix Suns in the first half of game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns defeated the LA Clippers 129-124 to win game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game.

It’s About Star Power

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors – Game Three

Draymond Who?

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The Nuggets Packed All The Reasons To Doubt Them Into One Awful Quarter

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors steps over Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. Green was issued a flagrant foul 2 on the play, and ejected from the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings – Game Two

Draymond Shit The Bed

New York's Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle confer during Game 2 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers

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The Knicks Spent A Quarter In Hell

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings is congratulated by teammates after they beat the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It Took Everyone To Put Steph Curry Somewhere He’s Never Been Before

Draymond Green makes a face after stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis.

The NBA Playoffs Have Not Truly Begun Until Draymond Green Has Kicked Someone In Anger

Paul Reed #44 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during Round 1 Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The photo has been edited to blow up all the faces in the crowd going wild at Bball Paul's rebound and layup.

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Bball Paul Is Balling

DENVER, CO - APRIL 16: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets smiles during Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 16, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray’s Back!

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns, winning Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

2023 NBA Playoffs – Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns

Russell Westbrook Is Always Himself

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during Round 1 Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 16, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

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LeBron James Got Some Help From His Secondary Buddies

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